In the simplest of terms François Truffaut's film Jules and Jim is about a love triangle between two best friends, Jules and Jim, and a lovely girl, Catherine, that lasts a lifetime. The movie begins with Jim, a shy writer, and Jules, an extrovert Austrian, meeting and hastily becoming great friends. The setting is Paris, France before World War I so the two strut around and enjoy all the activities and women the city has to offer. On one of their journeys they come across a goddess like statue with a mesmerizing smile. Later that day they come across a girl who reassembles this goddess like statue, Catherine. Both Jules and Jim are immediately infatuated with her; however, Jules is the first to "claim" her. Jim never protests, or becomes jealous which seems strange. Their love for Catherine never affects their friendship. Jules and Catherine move to Austria to get married, and soon World War I starts. Jules and Jim are separated and actually fight on opposite sides fearing they will accidently kill one another. Even during the war their friendship is strong. But, Catherine and Jules separation did not go as smoothly. During the war Catherine had multiple affairs to punish Jules for the separation. They have a daughter Sabine, but the marriage is failing and Catherine torments Jules. Despite this Jules is still head over heals in love with her. Once the war ends Jim comes for a visit. Jim had never forgotten how much he liked Catherine and once they are reunited it seems inevitable that they will go behind Jules back to be together. Yet, Jules takes Jim aside and gives him permission to marry Catherine. Jules is afraid Catherine will leave him forever, so hopefully with this marriage she will stay and they all could live together. For awhile the 4 live happily in the same chateau in the Black Forest, but trouble arises when Catherine and Jim have trouble getting pregnant. Frustration builds and Catherine asks Jim to leave. Jim returns to Paris and begins to see his old love Gilberte. Letters come in to Jules from Catherine saying she is finally pregnant. Jim prepares to leave, but the receives a final letter from Jules saying how the baby miscarried and Catherine is extremely upset. The three go a long time without seeing one another, until one day in Paris Jim runs into Jules. Jim is taken to their new house in France and Catherine attempts to win Jim back, and when he rebuffs her she pulls on a gun him. Jim escapes and after a time sees the two again in Paris one day. They all decide to catch up at a local café. Catherine takes Jim aside for a car ride to tell him something, but instead she drives the car off a broken bridge killing them both as Jules watches. The movie ends with Jules standing by his two friends ashes. Catherine destroys both the friends lives whether it be death or loneliness.
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